# NTSB DEN99LA027: Boeing 727-233, N269FE, Denver, CO, December 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 21, 1998, 22:15 local (Dec 22, 1998, 05:15 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.850994, -104.700347 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8510&lon=-104.7003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 23, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45546 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45546/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA027 ## Probable cause Snow removal not done by other person. ## Analysis A tug was pushing the aircraft back from the gate when the wheels of the airplane got stuck in snow. The tow bar shear pin, designed to break under excessive loads, snapped in half. The tug struck the airplane, breaking its windshield and causing damage to the aircraft's radome and forward pressure bulkhead. Airport operations personnel are responsible for the removal of snow. According to a ramp manager from the Federal Express Corporation, the snow bank in which the aircraft became mired was 12-16 inches from both the ramp and service road. He stated that the snow should have been plowed but allowed to accrue in that location. ## Factual narrative On December 21, 1998, at 2215 mountain standard time, a Boeing 727-233, N269FE, operated by Federal Express Corporation as flight 1004, was substantially damaged after being struck by a tug during push back at Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado. The airline transport rated captain, first officer and flight engineer were not injured. The aircraft was being operated as a domestic cargo flight under Title 14 CFR Part 121, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An IFR flight plan was filed for the flight to Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California. According to a Federal Express Corporation representative, a tug was pushing the aircraft back from the gate when the wheels of the airplane got stuck in a snow bank. The tow bar shear pin, designed to break under excessive loads, snapped in half. The tug struck the airplane, breaking its windshield and causing damage to the aircraft's radome and forward pressure bulkhead. Denver International Airport operations personnel are responsible for the removal of snow. According to a ramp manager from the Federal Express Corporation, the snow bank in which the aircraft became mired was 12-16 inches from both the ramp and service road. He stated that the snow should have been plowed but not allowed to accrue in that location. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - pushback/tow - terrain condition - snowbank - airport snow removal - not attained, other person (cause) - light condition - dark night - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - pushback/tow - object - vehicle ## Aircraft - Registration: [N269FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N269FE-2014-08-22), registration cancelled 2014-08-22, S/N 21675, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 727-233 - Registry model: [Boeing 727-233](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-233) (registry code 138408A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21675 - Airframe hours: 40578 - Engines: P&W JT8D-15AQM turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Federal Express Corporation - Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 18, 1998, 6 hours before - Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DEN, Denver International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,806 total, 4,806 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -11 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DEN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19981221033789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981221033789A), Dec 21, 1998: Boeing 727233, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 21, 1998, at 2215 mountain standard time, N269FE, a Boeing model 727-233, was substantially damaged when a tow bar broke while the aircraft… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.